Essex adults with long term conditions such as diabetes and heart disease are being urged to get their free flu jab to prevent serious illness or even death.
UK Health Security Agency estimates the flu vaccination prevented around 104,000 hospital admissions and 7,100 deaths in England last winter.
Bookings for flu jabs for adults aged 16-64 with long-term health conditions opened on 1 October. Vaccinations for children aged 2-3, all school-aged children and pregnant women began on 1 September, with clinics being held at GP practices, in pharmacies and specialist teams visiting schools.
The NHS in Essex is now encouraging all adults who are eligible and particularly people with long-term conditions or are immunosuppressed to get protected. Last winter, only 38% of people under 65 with long-term conditions in Essex had the flu jab. 1,226 adults were admitted to hospital with flu-related illness – 95% of which were emergency admissions to hospital.
The idea that flu is ‘just a little cold’ has lulled people into a false sense of security and they don’t realise it can be fatal. What might be a week of feeling rough for one person could land you in hospital or cause serious complications if you have long-term health conditions or are immunosuppressed. That can take months to recover from – or worse. Having flu could be a matter of life or death.
Dr Matthew Sweeting, Executive Medical Director added:
This isn’t about frightening everyone but the reality of flu for someone with long-term conditions is a frightening prospect. [can we have some words about what flu does to someone in this position] If you are one of those people the only way to give yourself the best chance of protection is by having the flu vaccine.
The NHS has made it easier than ever to book and get this for those who meet the criteria so I would really urge them to do this before flu season really kicks in. A flu vaccination is not a nice-to-have. It’s essential.
The vaccine works by giving a person’s immune system added protection against the flu viruses most likely to circulate this winter. It can’t give someone flu, but it does prepare people’s bodies to fight off infection if they encounter the virus. Most people who have the vaccination either avoid flu entirely or experience much milder symptoms if they do catch it. It takes about two weeks to build full protection, so getting vaccinated now gives people the best chance of staying well throughout winter.
“Flu risk isn’t just about age. If you are younger but have a long-term condition such as significant asthma, heart disease, diabetes or a weakened immune system, your risk of becoming seriously ill from flu can be substantially higher than someone of the same age who is otherwise healthy. A pregnant woman needs protection not just for herself, but for her unborn child too.
Dr Matthew Sweeting, Executive Medical Director added:
If you’re eligible for a free flu vaccination, please don’t leave it too late. Book your appointment today and give yourself the protection you deserve this winter.
Eligible people can book their flu vaccination through their GP practice or visit a participating pharmacy. Use the links below to find a vaccination site near you.
Find a vaccination site in mid Essex Find a vaccination site in north east Essex Find a vaccination site in south east Essex Find a vaccination site in south west Essex Find a vaccination site in west Essex